Strong Second Half Lifts Colgate Past Boston University

BOSTON - Freshman Ryan Johnston scored a program-record five goals, but Boston University was edged by Colgate, 7-5, on Saturday afternoon at Nickerson Field.

Johnston scored on all five shots he took and had BU (0-6, 0-2 PL) within one at 5-4 with 9:57 left in the fourth quarter, but Colgate (5-1, 2-1 PL) scored twice more and survived a late rally to secure the victory.

Four different freshmen had an assist, with Chad Bell, Pat Myers, Clay Phillips and Adam Schaal each helping on a Johnston tally. Freshman Christian Carson-Banister was terrific between the pipes, making 14 saves and allowing the fewest goals of his collegiate career.

The teams traded goals in the first quarter with Johnston tying the game each time. Colgate scored first 1:42 into the game before Johnston answered with a feed from Myers over two minutes later. After Kevin Adams gave Colgate a 2-1 edge, Phillips found Johnston with 4:34 to play in the quarter to tie the game.

Both goaltenders were perfect in the second quarter to keep the score tied, 2-2. Carson-Banister made four saves while Brandon Burke stopped both shots he faced. Johnston gave the Terriers their first lead of the game with 9:01 to play in the third quarter, but the Raiders scored twice to take a 4-3 lead into the final stanza.

Colgate took its first two-goal lead of the game 1:54 into the fourth quarter, but Johnston answered to cut the deficit to one again at 5-4 with 9:57 to play thanks to an assist from Bell. Two more Colgate goals made it 7-4 with 5:41 remaining in regulation before Schaal connected with Johnston for the game's final goal with 2:41 left in the contest.

BU will hit the road for its next two games, beginning with a Patriot League tilt at Lafayette on March 15. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.

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BOSTON – Colgate's defense is on a roll and picking up steam. The Raiders stood firm in front of the goal when it counted here Saturday and picked up their first road victory of the season, 7-5 over a feisty Boston University squad.

"As stagnant as our offense was early on, we really needed our defense to step up," Colgate head coach Mike Murphy said. "If it was going to be a one-goal game, we needed them to score one fewer goal than we did.

"Any time you're on the road in the Patriot League, it's going to be a battle."

Colgate found that out from the start when its two early goals did little to deter BU's first-year varsity program. Brendon McCann and Kevin Adams put the Raiders on top 2-1 in the first 5½ minutes, but the Terriers soon tied it and then a stalemate took hold.

The last 4:34 of the first quarter and the entire second quarter went scoreless, leaving the halftime tied at 2-2. Boston U. scored with 9:01 left in the third for a 3-2 lead, but Colgate finally answered when Matt Clarkson fired hard and high with 5:42 showing in the same period. Credit Eric Foote with the assist that drew the Raiders even.

"We finally got the offense going and moved the ball a couple of times to the backside," Clarkson said. "Eric threw it over the top and I just went high. The scouting report was the kid was good low, so we had to bring it high on him."

For the Raiders, the scoring drought had stretched 33 minutes and 49 seconds. And yet when Clarkson found goal, it was 3-3 thanks to Colgate scintillating and stifling defenders.

"Our job as a defense is to always keep our team in a position to win," said Boyle, who caused three turnovers and picked up four ground balls. "I'm really proud of the guys underneath – Bobby Lawrence, John Baker, Leo Stouros and Brandon Burke did a great job and made our job easier as defensive midfielders.